Review

Cécile Chaminade
Six Romances Without Words Op.76:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer


Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2012
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Originally, a late-romantic French work for piano, Ralph Sauer has arranged Chaminade’s complete Six Romances Without Words for trombone and piano. The six movements are entitled: Souvenance, Élévation, Idylle, Églogue, Méditation, and Chanson Bretonne. Range encompasses F to c2 and the trombone part is given almost exclusively in tenor clef with small sections in bass clef. Staying true to the original score, the trombone part features grace notes and trills. Most of the trombone part has been extracted from the melody line of the piano. Although there are some call and response sections between piano and trombone, the trombone undulates lyrically over a simple but beautiful piano accompaniment. The tessitura is quite comfortable for tenor trombone. The part requires good flexibility in the middle to upper range and represents excellent material for improving upon range, flexibility, and natural slurs. Sauer’s detailed use of style and tempo markings makes this transcription a convincing, simple, and beautiful work for the trombone. It is appropriate for a skilled undergraduate college trombonist but challenging enough so that a professional will still enjoy playing it. Considering its lyrical nature, this versatile work could be appropriately programmed in almost any setting from coffee shop to formal recital.

-Thomas Macaluso
University of Louisville